Combined switch and closure means



Dec. 7, 1965 J. H. DELHASE COMBINED SWITCH AND CLOSURE MEANS Filed June 28, 1961 FIG. 5

FIG. 2

s H Y m L WE ma 5 h flu JE 1W 5 W F V. B m m .1 J E0 /12 6 \l 5 F H u l m F United States Patent 3,222,473 COMBINED SWITCH AND CLOSURE MEANS Jos H. Delhase, 116 Blvd. de la Reine, Versailles, Seine-et-Oise, France Filed June 28, 1961, Ser. No. 120,314 Claims priority, application France, Mar. 6, 1961, 854,639, Patent 79,314 1 Claim. (Cl. ZOO-61.62)

The present invention relates to an assembly which combines an electric switch with a closure means for positioning a pair of members with respect to each other. More particularly the invention relates to the combination of a closure means which may be adapted for use in connection with a door and door jamb and a switch means adapted to operate a circuit depending on the position of the door. The switch fastening assemblies are suitable for the control of bells or alarms, lighting of areas to which the doors or the like are connected and other similar uses.

In the applicants application Serial Number 131,038, filed June 28, 1961, and entitled Improved Positioning Means, a plurality of mechanisms were described which were adapted for the positioning of members with respect to each other. The previously described assemblies are particularly adaptable for doors and the like, and it is an object of this invention to provide a unique switch assembly suitable for use in connection with the mechanisms of the prior application.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined switch and closure means which is uniquely suitable for control of bells, alarms, lighting and similar electrical circuits.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and, for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration, partly in section, of a form of a combined switch and closure means characterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front end view taken about the line 22 of FIGURE 1 of a projecting means adapted to effect closure of a door or the like and actuation of a switch combined therewith;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic illustration, partly in section, which depicts the means of FIGURE 1 in closed position;

FIGURE 4 is a front end view of a fitting adapted for the mounting of rotatable means which receive and secure the projecting means and which is also adapted for the mounting of the switch means of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic illustration, partly in section, of an alternative form of the means of this invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic illustration, partly in section, of an additional alternative fitting adapted for operation in accordance with the principles of this invention.

The present invention generally relates to a mechanism for positioning one member with respect to a second member in a pre-selected position. The mechanisms comprise a rotatable body fixed to one of the members and a projecting recessed member adapted to interfit with respect to the rotatable body. At least one of the rotatable and projecting members is formed of a resilient material whereby a snug securement can be achieved. A switch means is located in the mechanism adjacent the rotatable body, and the switch means is adapted to be actuated by the projecting means when this projecting means interfits with the rotatable body.

Specific embodiments of this invention are shown in 3,222,473 Patented Dec. 7, 1965 the drawings wherein the combined switch and closure means of this invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. The combined means includes a fitting 12 and a projecting element 14. Rotatable resilient elements 16 are mounted in the fitting 12 on axles 18. A normally closed switch means mounted behind the rotatable elements includes a movable spring urged blade 20 having one end secured at 22 and the other end movable toward and away from a contact point 24. Leads 26 are electrically connected by means of rivets 27 to the contact point 24 and blade 20.

The blade 20 is shown urged normally closed due to the configuration of the blade as illustrated by the how 28, or due to the compression spring 30 (FIGURE 5). Holes 31 are provided in the ends of the fitting 12 for securement of the fitting as desired.

The projecting means 14 comprises an enlarged end 32, behind which are formed recesses 34. Holes 36 are provided in the projecting means for attachment of this means to the member to be associated with the member holding the fitting 12. In most cases, the present invention is adaptable for use in connection with a stationary member and a movable member, such as a jamb and door arrangement. In such arrangements, it is preferred that the fitting 12 be associated with the stationary member due to the fact that it must be connected in an electrical circuit. However, it will be apparent that interchanging of the fitting 12 and the projecting means 14 is feasible. The fitting and projecting means are preferably formed of an insulating material such as plastic to avoid shocks, short circuits and the like.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modification of the previously described mechanism. In this mechanism a single rotatable element 38, mounted on an axis 40 Within the fitting 12, is provided. A projecting element 42 having an enlarged end 44 is provided with a single recess 46 for interfitting with respect to the rotatable element 38. Means at 48 are provided for attachment of the fitting and projecting means.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a modified fitting 51 which is rovided with an alternative form of a switch arrangement. This arrangement includes a contact plate 50 adapted to seat with respect to a pair of contact points 52. A sleeve 54 is connected to the plate 50 and extends from the bottom of the plate into the portion 55 formed in the fitting 51. A compression spring 56 normally urges the plate 50 into engagement with the contact points 52.

The operation of the mechanisms described depends, to a large extent, on the provision of elastic members in the mechanisms. In the described mechanisms the rotatable members 16 and 38 are shown as formed of a resilient material such as rubber. When the projecting means is brought into engagement with the resilient rotatable members, the leading edge of the projecting means will cause the rotatable means to depress and they will ride over the projecting means and interfit within the recesse thereon. At the same time, the leading portions of the projecting means will come into engagement with the described switch means and, in the assemblies illustrated, open the switches.

It will be apparent that the projecting means may be formed of resilient material and caused to depress when brought into engagement with a rigid rotatable body. Furthermore, both of the rotatable and projecting means could be formed of resilient material. In any case, it is necessary that the projecting means and the described fittings be aligned on the members to which they are attached in order that there be true resilient engagement of the members with respect to each other. Thus, in the case where a pair of rotatable members are employed, the rotatable members must be spaced apart in a manner such that their peripheries are closer together than the dimensions of the enlarged end of the projecting means While, at the same time, being spaced to interfit within the recesses. In an arrangement such as shown in FIG- URE 5, the fitting and projecting means must be aligned whereby the rotatable means will ride over the enlarged end of the projecting means before seating within the recess.

The assemblies of this invention are suitable for use in connection with refrigerator doors or the like wherein it is desired to have a light on when the door is open and ofi when the door is closed. An application with regard to an alarm system is also obvious, since the arrangement is readily adaptable for inclusion in an alarm circuit which will be energized when a door is opened. There are applications, however, wherein it is desirable that the circuit be open when the door is open and closed when the door is closed. The present mechanisms are adaptable for such an alternative, for example, by insulating the points 24 and 52 such as by direct connection to the walls of the fittings. Circuit contact points may then be connected to rivets 22 and positioned beneath the blade 20 or plate 50 to be contacted thereby when the end of the projecting member forces the arm or plate away from its normal position and toward the contact points.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the specific fittings and arrangements illustrated, other arrangements are contemplated, including the many variations set forth in the aforementioned co-pending application. The described arrangements and those which are suggested when considering the aforementioned application are characterized by simplicity and ease of manufacture. The assemblies are readily positioned and, due to the friction-free operation, are not susceptible to undue wear. Fittings such as the fittings 12 and 51 described are particularly desirable since they may be associated with a door jamb or the like by means of a single fastening operation. It is contemplated, however, that the rotatable elements and switch means could be specially mounted in an appropriate recess.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the above described mechanisms which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, particularly as defined in the following claim.

I claim:

A mechanism for closing a movable member with respect to a stationary member comprising a projecting means fixed to one of said members having an enlarged end portion and a recessed portion at the base of said enlarged end portion, a fitting secured to the other of said members, rotatable means mounted in said fitting in endwise alignment with the projection means fixed to the other member with a sector of said rotatable means in the path of said enlarged end portion of said projecting means and in substantial alignment with said recess for nesting within said recess following clearance of said enlarged end portion during movement to closed position, at least one of said projecting and rotatable means being formed of a resilient material whereby the enlarged portion of said projecting means is adapted to ride over said rotatable means and said recess is adapted to fit about said rotatable means, a switch provided in said fitting behind said rotatable means and having a movable portion adapted to complete an electric circuit, said enlarged end of said projecting means engaging and moving said movable portion of the switch after the enlarged end rides over said rotatable means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 759,814 5/1904 Knapp 20061.68

904,979 11/1908 Morris 20061.62 1,526,747 2/1925 Hanson et al. 20061.78 1,627,357 5/1927 Townley 200-61.68 1,649,475 11/1927 Jones 20061.68 1,702,483 2/1929 Phelps ZOO-61.68 2,317,277 4/1943 Knuth 29215 2,467,815 4/1949 Curtiss ZOO-61.68 2,659,620 11/1953 Ter Meer 29215 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

MAX L. LEVY, ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiners. 

